November 22, 2009

Hitched!

**EDIT** I messed up... Papa Shetty couldn't make it out to the sangeet but was supposed to have been cured by the wedding day. It was also on his behest the girls go ahead and leave for Khandala while he was sick (how very filmy). Also, the family performed a skit as well, how cutee. **END EDIT**

Of course everyone and their mom knows Shilpa Shetty got hitched this weekend, but as a Bollywood blogger I feel it is only my duty to share what I can about the wedding so here it goes:

SHILPA SHETTY'S SHAADI (who doesn't love a good alliteration?)

Lady Shetty got hitched this weekend to long time boyfriend/co-owner of the Rajasthan Royals, Raj Kundra and as a man in the precious stones business (win) he gifted her a 20-carat diamond ring. Oh and toss in a mansion in The UK on the side but that's just for fun since they're living in Mumbai. Anyway, the wedding was done in true Konkani-Manglorean fashion and all the events took place in the beautiful Khandala (I act like I've been there, but if it's a 'hillstation' it should be pretty, right?). Papa Shetty couldn't make it to the wedding because he was hospitalized due to malaria. That has GOT to suck. First her sister was unable to attend the engagemnet and now NO DADDY AT THE WEDDING?! Why oh why is she in such a hurry to get hitched? Is her baby bump gonna show soon? You didn't hear me say that. I didn't say it... but it is an assumption. In her defense, Momma Shetty is supposed to be a strict astrologer so perhaps this was actually the best 'mahurat.' Hopefully he will be better by Tuesday when the reception takes place in Mumbai. Anyway, the sangeet invites were extended to 150 of the 1000 invited for the reception and since you're wondering, some of Bwood's finest, naturally, were invited such as KJO, SRK, Salman Khan, Farah Khan, and Amitabh Bachchan & Co. [Not sure how many of them made it out, but I'm pretty sure Karan was busy with his cousin's wedding this weekend.] Shilpa and Raj danced to 'Teri Ore' how very Bollywood (which means I love it) and the family danced to 'Ahun Ahun' at the sangeet. Both of those songs have, at one point, been an obsession for me so good job Shetty family (because pleasing me was obviously their intention). Kickass choreographer Ganesh Hegde (who I secretly find attractive... don't get confused this isn't the mota Ganesh choreo.!)was the man behind it all. All of her clothes were designed by Mr. Tarun Tahiliani and his by Shantanu & Nikhil. The jewelry was taken care of by Anmol Jewellers. Here are some pictures from the sangeet and the wedding.

Sister Shamita also wore a Tarun Tahiliani number too.




Even celebrities are blushing brides on their big day, I love it.




She is the epitome of The Indian Beauty. Is anyone else salivating over that peacock bajuband?! It is effin' beautiful.

Fun fact for the post: Raj has a three-year old daughter, Deleena from his previous marriage to Kavita (can't find her maiden name). I get a very media-whorey vibe from her so I'm going to choose to ignore all her "Shilpa broke my marriage" bs.

I will update this post as soon as reception photos are up and floating around.

Congratulations to the happy couple, I wish them all the best.

Oh P.S. Isha Koppikar had a sangeet this weekend too. It was Ken and Barbie themed. Um, still trying to digest that one. She's lucky Shilpa stole the spotlight because no one needs to know about a Ken and Barbie Sangeet. Btw, I really like Isha so I'm sad to write negative things about her.

[photo sources: India Cinema Gallery, Hamara Photos and Miday Masala]

Forthcoming Films

There's quite a few films lined up so I'll try to stick with those that are worth mentioning.

First, we have Rajneeti expected to release sometime in 2010. The film has quite a list of talented actors. We have Nana Patekar, Ajay Devgan, Ranbir Kapoor, Vivek Oberoi, Manoj Bajpai and Katrina Kaif. Whilst reading that list did that record halting noise (you know, the one that indicates a negative surprise) play in your head too when you came across Katrina's name? Get this, she plays Sonia Gandhi. Director, Prakash Jha is a talented man who only casts best of the best so maybe he sees potential or maybe he just likes the idea that he can actually cast a half-Indian half-Caucasian actress. I have faith. I want to like Katrina, which don't get me wrong, I don't hate the girl but she is definitely overrated. Maybe this will be her breakout role. Let's cross our fingers. Also, it's nice to see Ranbir (who plays an NRI) branching out and not sticking to one genre or one camp. I guess that's what happens when you're part of the Kapoor lineage (I think they're my favorite Bollywood family). Oh, fun fact for the post: Ranbir, Bebo and Lolo are the first generation in the Kapoor Khandaan to have all been successful. Woohoo, glad that happened in my lifetime.

Next up we have Delhi Belly. Produced by Amir Khan, directed by Abhinay Deol and starring Imran Khan, Kunaal Roy Kapoor, Vir Das, Poorna Jagannathan, Shenaz Treasurywala, Kim Bodnia, Vijay Raaz, Ravi Khaanwilkar, Monica Dogre. I'm going to shamelessly admit the only people I've heard of are Imran Khan (obvs), Vir Das and Shenaz Treasurywala. I'll research these other folks soon and get back to you. I don't know much about the movie except that the phrase "Delhi Belly" means you have an upset stomach... usually us NRI/foreigners get it. Gross. No idea if the film touches upon that metaphorically or what. It's also supposed to be a sex-comedy. We also know that Imran had to sport a jungli-disheveled look for the film. Have a looksies (be sure to look at his promotional shirt):
Lastly, Ranbir Kapoor and Chitrangada Singh were to have originally been casted. She opted out due to little acting scope but we're not sure about Ranbir. Maybe it was a 'dates issue', isn't it always?

There's Karthik Calling Karthik (which I'm pretty excited about) starring Farhan Akhtar, Deepika Padukone, Ram Kapoor and Shefali Chaya. What a lovely cast, I absolutely adore all four of them. It's directed by Vijay Lalwani and produced by Farhan A. and Ritesh Sidhwani and the music was composed by Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy. The film is about a man who recieves a call from himself. It's supposed to be a psychological-thriller sprinkled with some humor and a bit of romance on the side. It's slated to release February 26th and since it's so far, much information isn't out. All I know is that Deepika plays an unconventional role and I'm excited to see that.

There are more upcoming films that should be mentioned but I'll save it for another post.

Promos, Trailers and Friends


A couple of weeks ago we got a glimpse of Ranbir Kapoor's much awaited Rocket Singh-Salesman of the Year which is to be released on December 11th. The film is directed by Shimit Amin (of Chak De India fame), written by Jaideep Sahni, produced by Aditya Chopra and the music's by Salim-Suleiman. The movie stars Ranbir Kapoor (and people are claiming it's going to be his best role yet)Shazahn Padamsee, daughter of famed Alyque Padamasee (famous Indian-theater personality), Sharon Prabhakar, also a theater personality, a pop singer and co-star Shazahn's mummy-dearest and BEST OF ALL GAUHAR KHAN aka the love of my life. Gauhar is a model, sister of famous TV personality Nigaar Khan but probably most famous for being a contestant in Jhalak Dikhlaja (she placed second, though we all know she deserved first!).

Of course we can't have a hyped upcoming movie without a side dish of gossip so here's what's the latest for this film. Well, to be honest, whoever is doing the PR work isn't really generating anything interesting except that Shazahn and Gauhar are at loggerheads (did I use that properly?) over who plays the 'lead' actress. The film doesn't even call for a lead actress. Shazahn is opposite of Ranbir, but only shot for four days whereas Gauhar's role called for a four-month shoot. I hope somewhere in that shoot Gauhar got a badass dance number, though it's not likely.

Anyway, here is a theatrical trailer which released some time ago and a promo that released this past week. Enjoy!

The ending is so hilarious/cute.

I get a very "Jame Raho" from Taare Zameen Par feeling with the whole 'always on the run' angle.

Doesn 't Ranbir as a sardar ji look amazing? I'm a sucker for facial hair, maybe that's why.

Next we have Chance Pe Dance starring Shahid Kapoor and Genelia D'Souza, directed by Ken Ghosh (no wonder Shahid's in this film), produced by Ronnie Screwala, music by Adnan Sami, Sandeep Shirodkar and Ken Ghosh himself. It's expected to release on Jan. 15th. It's about the struggle to become a famous actor. Not in a 'Luck By Chance' sort of way but in a typical fun unrealistic Bollywood sort of way. I hope we get to see a lot of dancing Shahid and spared the horror of a dancing Genelia. Just check out the trailer (came out a few weeks ago so you may have already caught it):

Weekend Releases

...and by 'releases' I mean 'release.'


The much-hyped Kurbaan, released this weekend and as expected is doing well. Looks like the whole 'films-where-real-life-couples-play-a-reel-life-couple-never-do-well' theory falls flat with this film and thankfully so 'cause I'm really anxious to see it! I always fall for good publicity and pretty much take anything Karan Johar says with a handful of salt and if he produced this film, then by God, I will watch it (I know biases are bad, but I can't help it. I love the man.). Which, speaking of, it's nice to see that Dharma Productions is branching out from its Romantic forte (barring the disaster that was Kaal) and sprinkling it's magic on other genres. So all-in-all the movie is running succesfully and has repeatedly been stated that it's "the best Hindi film of 2009." (of course 3 idiots, Rocket Singh and Paa have yet to release) I sense film award nominations already. I wonder how Thackeray & Co. feel with the success of the movie or Dharma Productions in general.

Let me to shed a little bit of light on this Thackeray controversy (if you haven't already been enlightened):

#1) Before the release of 'Wake Up Sid' Raj Thackeray [nephew of Bal (leader of the Shiv Sena party)] made K-Jo come over and told him it wasn't cool that Karan used the word "Bombay" (instead of Mumbai) in the film and asked him to apologize. So Johar-saab threw in an apology at the beginning of Wake Up Sid and everyone was pissed that he caved, this includes the CM.

#2) About a week ago Bombay (yes, Bombay) woke up to find that Kareena had been covered in a sari in all of the Kurbaan Billboards. I wish I was lying. The Shiv Sena women felt 'nude' pictures (mind you, all you can see is her bare back) were too vulgar for the general public. I saw a picture of the draped sari, it was hilarious. [I can't remember where I saw it and now I'm going crazy searching for it] The ladies planned to gift her a sari at her home and when asked how she felt about the whole situation the ever so blunt Bebo just said she hoped it was a color she liked.

Anyway, can't say much about the film since I live in Oklahomie and won't get to see the movie until Nov. 29th (the perfect ending to my Thanksgiving-Eid-Bedlam weekend) so I'll get back to y'all then.